Alan Williams Named Preseason Mid-Major First Team All-American

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - UC Santa Barbara junior center Alan Williams has been selected Preseason First Team Mid-Major All-American by CollegeSportsMadness.com, it was announced Thursday.

Williams, a returning First Team All-Big West choice and Second Team All-District Selection, was also chosen as the website's Preseason Big West Player of the Year.

"Al is a key ingredient in what we hope to accomplish this season," said UCSB head coach Bob Williams. "He had an outstanding sophomore season and I expect good things out of him again this season."

In 2012-13, despite battling injuries, Williams had one of the finest all-around sophomore seasons in school history. He became the first Gaucho in 23 years to average a double-double as he finished at 17.1 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. In fact, he had 15 double-doubles, also the most in 23 years. Additionally, he paced the team with 64 blocked shots and 29 steals. In Big West play, Williams averaged 19.2 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.

A two-time Big West Player of the Week, the Phoenix native scored a career-high 32 points in a pivotal win at Cal State Northridge, collecting 16 rebounds in the same game. Williams had a 29 point, 17 rebound performance in an overtime win at Santa Clara. He also had a career-high 17 rebounds against Cal Poly.

The Gauchos opened practice on Monday, Sept. 30 in preparation for a season that will tip-off with an exhibition game against Cal State East Bay on Sunday, Nov. 3. The regular season will open with a Thunderdome game against Hawaii-Pacific on Friday, Nov. 8 and then the team will travel to UNLV for a game against the Runnin' Rebels on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Season tickets for UCSB men's basketball games are on sale now and can be purchased online by clicking here. There are numerous great plans available for a home schedule that includes Cal and Utah State, in addtion to the regular Big West rivals. For more information, fans can call 805-893-UCSB (8272) or drop by the ticket office in the ICA Building on campus.